This Week at NHCC

Worship:

This Sunday, July 11^th, “Those Powerful and Puzzling Parables” continue as we discuss “Grace in the Guidelines.” Our Scripture focus will be on Luke 18: 9-14

Our 9:00am and 10:45 am service will be inside in the Sanctuary.

Our online service will be available at 9:00 am and any time after that. Join us in person or online.

Looking Ahead:

Sunday, July 11th – 9:00 am Worship in the Sanctuary

10:45 am – Worship in the Parking Lot – Weather Permitting

Got a Hymn Request???? We will be taking hymn requests for the next few weeks. There will be a board in the Gathering Area for you to write your hymn request on. You can also share your request online in the comments on our YouTube Channel, or on our Facebook page, or you can email Ali or Sam.

Mission Update:

A big THANK YOU to everyone who donated items for the Baby Backpack project we are helping the Akron Urban League with.

The Baby Crib in the Gathering Are is overflowing with items. But there is still more that we need. Feel free to bring in any of the items from the list. The list of items needed can be found under the “Missions and Outreach” tab on the blog page. If you have any questions, please contact Holly or Ali.

Church Update: Pastor Jim is on vacation until August 7. Pastor Ali will be preaching, leading worship, and handling all pastoral responsibilities during this time. Please contact her if you need anything.

Pastoral Transition Plan Update: The elders met to discuss the feedback from the Congregational Conversations that took place a few weeks ago. They discussed the questions and concerns that were brought up. The next step is for the board to meet and approve the direction to be taken in regards to what has been proposed and discussed for the transition in Pastoral Leadership. There will be a board meeting on Tuesday, July 20^th at 7:00 pm at the church. The Pastoral Leadership Transition will be the only topic on the agenda. Any member of the church is welcome to attend. At the bottom of the page is the proposed plan for the Pastoral Leadership Transition. This is the same proposed plan that was shared with those who attended the Congregational Conversation gathering. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of the elders.

Meetings:

Every Tuesday – Prayer Team @ 6:00 via Zoom

Tuesday July 20^th – Board Meeting @ 7:00 pm at the church

A Plan for the Transition of our Pastoral Staff

Pastor Jim Bane has faithfully served the New Horizons Christian Church as Pastor (and more recently Lead Pastor) since October of 2003 and has shared with the Elders and the Board that he intends to retire from his ministry with us at the end of 2021. We are grateful for his time with us and are excited for both Jim and Holly concerning what the future holds for them.

Here is our plan for this transitional time in the life of our church:

For the remainder of 2021, Jim will maintain his role of Lead Pastor and will work alongside Ali Miguel in her role as Co-Pastor. As it has been since July of 2020, they will share preaching, worship leadership, pastoral care, and other ministries. In addition, both will work to prepare the church for moving into the next phase of its life.

Starting in 2022, Ali will continue her ministry at New Horizons but in a different role as our Transitional Interim Pastor. Ali has received Interim Ministry Training through our Region, and due to her familiarity with our congregation is well-suited for this new position.

With the pastor position secured, our congregation will have the time it needs to evaluate itself, its neighborhood, and its future ministry possibilities which will help inform its search for a new pastoral leader or continuing the co-pastor model. The clearer picture that the church has of its own strengths and opportunities, the more focused and successful it can be in the search process.

A search team will be appointed and will lead this process in consultation with Allen Harris, Regional Pastor and President of the Christian Church in Ohio. Rev. Harris has been informed of our needs and has already begun to advise us.

Pastor Ali is eligible to be a candidate for the installed pastor position if she feels called to be so.

An ad-hoc committee will be formed to develop various phases of the pastoral staff transition. The committee will be appointed by the Elders board.

In terms of how long the search process will take, there is no definitive answer especially with Covid’s impact on so many things both in the church and beyond it. The key is for the church to conduct a thorough and unhurried search and be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We are hopeful that the person called will be able to serve and lead our congregation for many years to come.